The ruthless flint doth cut my tender feet, And when I start, the envious people laugh And bid me be advised how I tread.
Ah, Humphrey, can I bear this shameful yoke?
Trow'st thou that e'er I'll look upon the world, Or count them happy that enjoy the sun?
No; dark shall be my light and night my day;To think upon my pomp shall be my hell.
Sometime I'll say, I am Duke Humphrey's wife, And he a prince and ruler of the land:
Yet so he ruled and such a prince he was As he stood by whilst I, his forlorn duchess, Was made a wonder and a pointing-stock To every idle rascal follower.
But be thou mild and blush not at my shame, Nor stir at nothing till the axe of death Hang over thee, as, sure, it shortly will;For Suffolk, he that can do all in all With her that hateth thee and hates us all, And York and impious Beaufort, that false priest, Have all limed bushes to betray thy wings, And, fly thou how thou canst, they'll tangle thee:
But fear not thou, until thy foot be snared, Nor never seek prevention of thy foes. GLOUCESTER Ah, Nell, forbear! thou aimest all awry;I must offend before I be attainted;And had I twenty times so many foes, And each of them had twenty times their power, All these could not procure me any scathe, So long as I am loyal, true and crimeless.
Wouldst have me rescue thee from this reproach?
Why, yet thy scandal were not wiped away But I in danger for the breach of law.
Thy greatest help is quiet, gentle Nell:
I pray thee, sort thy heart to patience;
These few days' wonder will be quickly worn.
Enter a Herald Herald I summon your grace to his majesty's parliament, Holden at Bury the first of this next month. GLOUCESTER And my consent ne'er ask'd herein before!
This is close dealing. Well, I will be there.
Exit Herald My Nell, I take my leave: and, master sheriff, Let not her penance exceed the king's commission. Sheriff An't please your grace, here my commission stays, And Sir John Stanley is appointed now To take her with him to the Isle of Man. GLOUCESTER Must you, Sir John, protect my lady here? STANLEY So am I given in charge, may't please your grace. GLOUCESTER Entreat her not the worse in that I pray You use her well: the world may laugh again;And I may live to do you kindness if You do it her: and so, Sir John, farewell! DUCHESS What, gone, my lord, and bid me not farewell! GLOUCESTER Witness my tears, I cannot stay to speak.
Exeunt GLOUCESTER and Servingmen DUCHESS Art thou gone too? all comfort go with thee!
For none abides with me: my joy is death;Death, at whose name I oft have been afear'd, Because I wish'd this world's eternity.
Stanley, I prithee, go, and take me hence;I care not whither, for I beg no favour, Only convey me where thou art commanded. STANLEY Why, madam, that is to the Isle of Man;There to be used according to your state. DUCHESS That's bad enough, for I am but reproach:
And shall I then be used reproachfully? STANLEY Like to a duchess, and Duke Humphrey's lady;According to that state you shall be used. DUCHESS Sheriff, farewell, and better than Ifare, Although thou hast been conduct of my shame. Sheriff It is my office; and, madam, pardon me. DUCHESS Ay, ay, farewell; thy office is discharged.
Come, Stanley, shall we go? STANLEY Madam, your penance done, throw off this sheet, And go we to attire you for our journey. DUCHESS My shame will not be shifted with my sheet:
No, it will hang upon my richest robes And show itself, attire me how I can.
Go, lead the way; I long to see my prison.